In 2023, as we celebrated our 25th anniversary in this community, we were so pleased to host TWO of our signature annual book distribution event, The Largest Book Party in St. Louis! We successfully brought this party to two different locations to reach more kids across St. Louis.
The Largest Book Party: Florissant
First up was The Largest Book Party in St. Louis: Florissant. In 1 hour, we distributed more than 1,300 new books directly to kids!
Over 300 children attended for a morning of story time, snacks, and picking out their new books to take home. The kids loved hearing stories read by local firemen, policemen, librarians and other volunteers. Each child was able to choose about 4 new books from a wide selection of titles within their reading level to take home and keep as their own.
Many thanks to our Presenting Sponsor: Saigh Foundation
And to our Additional Sponsors:
Cardinals Care
Staenberg Family Foundation, a supporting foundation of Jewish Federation of St. Louis
US Bank
Walmart Store # 3061
Walmart Store # 6474
Additional thanks to the St. Louis County Library Foundation, Delta Dental, Eye See Me, The City of Florissant: Parks & Recreation Department, and the James J. Eagan Center.
Thank you to our other volunteers and Board for helping to place more books in the hands of children - we couldn't do it without you!
The Largest Book Party: Downtown
Next was The Largest Book Party in St. Louis: Downtown. In 1 hour, we distributed more than 1,800 new books directly to kids!
Over 350 children attended at our new location of Busch Stadium downtown, for a morning of story time, snacks, and picking out their new books to take home. The kids loved hearing stories read by local firemen, policemen, librarians and other volunteers. Each child was able to choose about 4 new books from a wide selection of titles within their reading level to take home and keep as their own. On their way out, groups even got to say hello to Fredbird!
Many thanks to our Presenting Sponsor: Arthur and Helen Baer Foundation
And to our Additional Sponsors:
US Bank
Missouri Humanities with support from the Missouri Humanities Trust Fund
Additional thanks to the St. Louis Public Library and St. Louis Cardinals, LLC.
Thank you to our other volunteers and Board for helping to place more books in the hands of children - we couldn't do it without you!